Moments from the 2018 National Spelling Bee (56 images)

Children from across the U.S. competed in the 2018 National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md. Karthik Nemmani took won the bee this year after he correctly spelled the word, "koinonia." The bee was founded in 1925 when nine newspapers collaborated in hosting the competition. This year's bee featured 519 spellers and took place from May 27 to June 1. Photos by Pete Marovich/UPI

Karthik Nemmani, 14, from McKinney, Texas, holds the trophy after winning the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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Nemmani is surrounded by family as he holds the trophy. The eighth-grader took home a trophy, encyclopedias, $2,500 savings bond and $40,000 in cash after his victory.

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Confetti falls on Nemmani after he spelled the word, koinonia, correctly to become the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion.

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"I had confidence, but I didn't really think it would happen," Karthik said, according to USA Today. "I'm just really happy. This has just been a dream come true."

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